A Rare Opportunity: The Passion Of Handel LIVE!

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Friday night I had the pleasure of attending the opening performance of University Opera's production of "Ariodante" by George Frideric Handel.

My only experience with a Handel opera to that point were pieces here an there (most recently in Fresco's "Paranormal Playhouse") and the recording of "Alcina" featuring Renee Fleming and Susan Graham. So Ariodante was my first experience attending a full fledged live Handel Opera.

The set was simple but perfect. Given the limited space of the Rennebohm Auditorium, the hanging portraits set against the woodsy backdrop gave the illusion that the actors were either inside or outdoors without having to move many props. And the portraits were gorgeous.

But onto more important business, which is the singing. I never realized how challenging Handel is for the singer. And this youthful cast sparkled. I particularly loved Lindsay Metzger and Anna Whiteway as Ariodante and Ginevra respectively. They were the lead roles so it seems obvious that I would gravitate towards them, but I truly felt their voices were sublime and a perfect match for this gorgeous music.

The UW Chamber Orchestra, conducted by James Smith was tight and spot on. Handel is intricate music, and the players performed in marvelous fashion.

Full disclosure here: Director William Farlow recently became an advisor to Fresco. So within the past few months, we have become fast friends.

Bill is in his last year at UW, and what impresses me the most about his style is his obvious passion for the music. I know it may sound weird, but I have met too many performers and directors in my life who didn't seem to like music that much. It was more of a job for them. Music is not a job for Bill - it is a part of his being, and this is one of the reasons I am grateful for his involvement with our organization and friendship.

Bill's passion for this music and production certainly comes through on the stage. University Opera's production of Ariodante is filled with love of the music, and that starts with the director.

Ariodante is not an opera that is performed often. I would highly recommend to all you early music fans, people who are curious about Handel, and those who are passionate about music to attend one of the final performances at Music Hall directed by William Farlow. There are two more performances, today (10/27) at 3:00 pm and Tuesday (10/29) at 7:30 pm. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

http://uwmadisonschoolofmusic.wordpress.com/2013/10/10/ariodante/

Jeff Turk

Dueling Divas II: Best High Note & Tag Team Battles! Featuring Saira Frank

Soprano Saira Frank, holds a master’s degree in opera from UW-Madison and two bachelor’s degrees, one in vocal performance and one in French from Northwestern University. Her studies also include a year at the National Conservatory in Nantes, France, where she participated in opera scenes and sang the role of Louis in FORTUNIO’S SONG.

A favorite of Madison’s Opera for the Young, Saira has performed in their past three productions of The Magic Flute, The Elixir of Love, and Rusalka, and she is currently singing Mabel in their tour of The Pirates of Penzance.


Saira joins Madison’s Fresco Opera for their third production, Dueling Divas II, after the fierce competition of their first production, Dueling Divas, and last October’s Ding, Dong the Diva’s Dead.

A devoted outreach artist, Saira has performed with Candid Concert Opera of Madison as Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Adina in The Elixir of Love, and Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte. Other roles in Saira’s diverse repertory include the title roles in The Merry Widow and Alcina, Josephine in HMS Pinafore, and Armidoro in La Buona Figliuola. Saira also teaches at the Carroll Academy in Waukesha, WI, where she has directed a children’s version of The Pirates of Penzance and plans to direct her second children’s opera there this summer.


Saira lives in Waukesha and studies in Madison with world-renowned soprano, Julia Faulkner. Saira’s honors include scholarships from Opera Props and the Voice Department at UW Madison, and she is also a five-time recipient of the Rod Rahn Scholarship for the Arts, a three-time recipient of the Arnold R. and Enda F. Weber Scholarship for the Arts and Academic Excellence, and has previously taken fourth place in the 2006 Upper Midwest District MONC Auditions. Saira has sung in masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Diana Soviero, John Wustman, Sherrill Milnes, Philip Morehead, and Giulio Favario.


http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html